Saugatuck city has stepped into its neighbor’s debate over a hotel and development proposal along Lake Michigan, asking Saugatuck Township officials to deny variance requests by Aubrey McClendon that do not match surrounding commercial uses.

“We’re an adjoining property owner and we’ve been asked to comment,” said Councilman Barry Johnson. The city owns the 173-acre Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area and 100-acre Tallmadge Woods Preserve, both of which are across the Kalamazoo River from the proposed development.

The township zoning board of appeals will discuss six variance requests at meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 100 St. Peter’s Drive in Douglas.

The requests are for a 25-suite hotel, marina and golf course among the Lake Michigan dunes. The variance requests are needed to build vertically to keep about 80 percent of the 310 acres as open space. The township ordinances limit structures to 35 feet. The inn is 90 feet tall.

This is the first time the city has taken a stand on McClendon property issues. In 2011, Johnson proposed the city comment on a pending legal settlement over the land, but no other council member supported the issue, so no action was taken.

The proposal’s link to a federal lawsuit is a reason the city should stay away from the issue, said Councilman Mark Bekken, who voted against the city statement.

“I think we’re treading on ground we shouldn’t be involved with,” he said. “At this stage of the game, it’s best the city stay on the sideline.”

The lawsuit filed March 2, 2010, alleged the township failed to properly notify McClendon of the zoning change and that the developer’s rights to due process were violated. The consent agreement approved in June to end the lawsuit eliminated the R-4 zoning and restored the previous categories while ensuring development plans go through township channels.

Mayor Jane Verplank and Bekken opposed sending the letter to the township. Council members Johnson, Jeff Spangler, Bill Hess and Henry Van Singel supported the letter. Councilman John Porzondek was absent.

The letter states the council has received “concerns” from the public over the proposed commercial use variances. The city asks the township to deny “any variance that would allow commercial activity on the property that is not compatible” with neighboring properties, zoning and Tri-Community Master Plan.

Surrounding property is zoned for parks and nature preserves with the Saugatuck Dunes State Park immediately north of the McClendon land.

Johnson said commercial development along Blue Star Highway, which the property borders, is acceptable.

The Tri-Community Plan, an advisory document updated in 2005 for Douglas and Saugatuck cities and Saugatuck Township, lists the property where the hotel is planned as “Greenspace, Preserve.”

“I think the Tri-Community Plan is pretty clear on that,” said Spangler.

Page 2 of 2 -
R.J. Peterson, owner of Tower Marina in Douglas, said the city should not oppose the McClendon development plan because of the economic activity it will bring to the area.